Ennerdale Bridge over the River Hull has not been available for lifting to larger river traffic since March 2024, which has caused frustration to larger vessels on the river. Smaller vessels can still go under the bridge subject to sufficient headroom bearing in mind tide and flow conditions on the river. This has caused Beverley Barge Preservation Society to cancel some of its charters with its historic barges. Although the Society’s main charter vessel Syntan can get under the bridge with the right tide and timing, this doesn’t always suit charterers.
[The photo above shows the twin lift bridges – by Chris Morgan CC BY-SA 2.0.]
One of the lifting spans has a control system – hydraulic problem, and this is causing the bridge to operate in an uncontrolled manner. The exact problem is not yet certain. Hull City Council’s engineering staff were unable to pinpoint the problem so engaged with the original designers of the control system to investigate the fault. They spent several days on site carrying out tests and collecting data. Unfortunately the fault could still not be found. The Council, which is responsible for the bridge, has now engaged with the manufacturers of the hydraulic system on the bridge. Further site investigations are due to take place, but the contractors have requested that both bridges are closed to road traffic whilst the testing is been carried out. This can only be done during night time works to avoid huge disruptions to traffic.
There are several parties involved in this process: Hull City Council, East Riding Council and National Highways. There has to be coordination between all parties to get agreement for the closure, and the earliest date likely is late August to early September. Ennerdale Bridge is the alternative route for abnormal loads, so this closure has to fit in with other traffic schemes being carried out around the city, including major works on the A63.
[The photo, left, shows the bridges – by J Thomas CC BY-SA 2.0]
Ennerdale Bridge is actually two bascule bridges, designed by Rendel Palmer and Tritton, and completed in 1997. The A1033 route is part of the north-eastern ring road towards the docks and Hedon Road continuing from the Beverley South Western bypass, and each bridge carries two lanes of traffic. The bridges were built as part of the Ennerdale Link road project from 1991-1997. Initially, a tunnel was planned at the site and work started in 1991. After 15 months a burst in the dam of the diverted river flooded the workings to a depth of 30 feet which despite pumping efforts could not be cleared. The tunnel scheme was shelved in August 1993. There had been concerns that the ground conditions were unsuitable for a tunnel. Construction of the bridges started in 1994.
The River Hull was once a busy commercial waterway, but is now lightly used, and the bridges lift only a few times each year. Upstream, Beverley Beck, home of Beverley Barge Preservation Society, branches off westwards, and further upstream the river becomes Driffield Navigation, which has been the subject of restoration work. Much of the Navigation is now available to boats, but is obstructed by the fixed lowered Wansford Bridge, which provides the last major obstacle to full restoration of the Navigation. Downstream, the River Hull flows into the Humber Estuary.
Update: Ennerdale Bridge was re-opened to all river traffic on 16th September 2024.
[The photo, right, shows another view of the bridge – by David Brown CC BY-SA 2.0]
